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Zach Wilson might just be the latest New York Jets quarterback to find new life after leaving the Big Apple. While I’m not ready to bet my house on it, Chris Grier and the Miami Dolphins front office clearly believe he can deliver when called upon — especially when Tua Tagovailoa inevitably misses time with injury, via Pro Football Talk.
The track record doesn’t exactly inspire confidence for Wilson’s resurrection in Miami. But hey — history isn’t always the best predictor of future success. Just look at Sam Darnold, who went from “seeing ghosts” with the Jets to commanding a $30+ million annual salary with the Seahawks. Football’s funny that way.
Darnold’s remarkable turnaround might actually be the blueprint Miami’s following with Wilson. The difference? The Dolphins don’t need Wilson to become a $30 million quarterback — they just need someone prepared to step in when Tua’s unavailable.
Wilson’s skill set matches Miami’s offensive identity
From a pure football perspective, Wilson’s arm talent and mobility make him a better scheme fit than other available options on the market. Mike McDaniel’s offense demands quick decision-making and the ability to push the ball downfield — two areas where Wilson has shown flashes of potential.
This is a low-risk, potentially high-reward move for Miami. If Wilson bombs, they’re no worse off than they were with Mike White or Skylar Thompson. If he thrives, they’ve found an insurance policy for their often-injured starter.
The Jets quarterback redemption tour is becoming quite the NFL trend.
Geno Smith revitalized his career in Seattle before landing with the Raiders. Darnold went from Carolina castoff to Minnesota revelation to Seattle’s starter. Now Wilson lands in Miami, hoping to become the third ex-Jet to successfully rebuild his NFL reputation.
There’s something about escaping the New York pressure cooker that seems to work wonders for these guys. NFL front offices have clearly taken notice that former Jets signal-callers often develop more fully when given a second chance in the right environment.
Wilson’s 2023 season in Denver might prove crucial to his development. He didn’t take a single snap behind Bo Nix, but a year learning under offensive guru Sean Payton — without the pressure of game action — could be exactly what the former BYU standout needed to reset his career.
Miami provides the perfect landing spot. There’s zero debate about who’s QB1 when Tua’s healthy, removing the weight of franchise expectations. Yet with Tagovailoa’s concerning concussion history (just one fully healthy season in four years), Wilson will likely see meaningful snaps in 2024.
“He was the right fit and right choice for us,” Grier explained. The Dolphins GM believes Wilson’s physical tools and football intelligence will translate well to McDaniel’s system. With elite weapons like Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle at his disposal, Wilson might actually look competent if pressed into service.
For Dolphins fans scarred by last season’s late-season quarterback carousel that derailed their playoff hopes, Wilson represents an upgrade — even if they’d prefer never to see him take meaningful snaps at all.
